Scott Williams to captain Wales as four debut against Ireland
Tuesday 4 August 2015 12:07, UK
Scott Williams will captain the Wales team that contains four uncapped players for their World Cup warm-up against Ireland at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday.
The Scarlets skipper becomes Wales' 131st skipper and will be partnered by uncapped Tyler Morgan in the midfield on his 30th Test appearance.
Morgan is joined in Warren Gatland's team by fellow-debutants Eli Walker, Dominic Day and Gloucester's Ross Moriarty.
The match is the first of Wales' World Cup warm-up games, with another Test against the Irish in Dublin and a visit from Italy scheduled before they kick off their campaign against Uruguay on September 20.
Hallam Amos will wear the No 15 jersey when he makes his second appearance for Wales after making his debut against Tonga in 2013. Alex Cuthbert and Ospreys' Walker complete the back three, in the absence of George North whose continues his recovery from concussion.
Mike Phillips and James Hook are the half-backs, in an experienced pairing that represents 170 combined caps for Wales.
In the front row former Ospreys hooker Richard Hibbard is reunited with his old guard as he packs down between Nicky Smith and Aaron Jarvis, while behind them Day makes his first appearance alongside Jake Ball.
Justin Tipuric features at openside flank while Dan Baker wears the No 8 jersey, with Taulupe Faletau on the bench as cover. The uncapped Moriarty joins Tipuric and Baker in the starting back row.
Rob Evans, Kristian Dacey and Scott Andrews provide front row cover on the bench, with James King rounding off the replacement forwards.
Lloyd Williams, Gareth Anscombe and Matthew Morgan provide cover for the backs. Dacey and Anscombe will win their first caps if they feature in the game.
"Saturday is a real opportunity for these players to put their hand up," said Gatland.
"We have been really impressed over the last few weeks, we have put the players under a lot of pressure and they have responded really well.
"Today is their opportunity to show what they can do on the international stage. We have the right blend of youth and experience and it's all about grasping the chance at this level.
"It's going to be a huge occasion, Ireland coming to town, a packed Millennium Stadium and players with everything to play for."
Wales: 15 Hallam Amos, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Tyler Morgan, 12 Scott Williams (c), 11 Eli Walker, 10 James Hook, 9 Mike Phillips; 1 Nicky Smith, 2 Richard Hibbard, 3 Aaron Jarvis, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Dominic Day, 6 Ross Moriarty, 7 Justin Tipuric, 8 Dan Baker.
Replacements: 16 Rob Evans, 17 Kristian Dacey, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 James King, 20 Taulupe Faletau, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 Gareth Anscombe, 23 Matthew Morgan.
